With summer fast approaching, we seem to have a lot going one here at the AMGA World HQ. The June Board Meeting is right around the corner and preparing for that is keeping everyone busy. Registration is now open for the Annual Meeting as well as the WFR Recertification course in the 'Gunks. So, if you want to stay informed, read on...

Registration Open for 2011 AMGA Annual Meeting

The Annual Meeting in the 'Gunks is less than 6-months away and registration is now open. If you plan on attending, you must register. Attendance is free, we just would like to have a fairly accurate head-count so we can plan things accordingly. Below is the schedule of events - we hope to see you all there!

The AMGA along with Wilderness Medicine Training Center will be offering a WFR Recertification Course, October 24 & 25 in New Paltz, New York. The cost of the course is $190 per person. A brief course schedule can be found below:

Day 1: 8:00 AM - 5:30 PM October 24

Course Introduction

Basic Extremity Splinting Lab

Basic Life Support Lab

Focused Spine Assessment

Simulations

Evening Session 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Adult & Wilderness CPR, Obstructed Airway, and AED Skills Lab

Day 2: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM October 25

Case Study Quiz

Injection Lab

Allergies and Wilderness Bites & Stings Quiz

Spine Management & Hypothermia Packaging Lab

Dislocations Lab

Simulations

Course Debrief & Closing

Clean-up

For more detailed information on the course and WMTC, you can visit their website.

This course has an extensive online study and testing program. To be admitted to the course, registrants must pass the online test before the practical sessions start. Click here for information about the online study and testing. Due to the online testing and pre-study necessary for the course, you must register by the October 12, 2011 deadline.

AMGA June Board of Directors Meeting

The AMGA Board of Directors will meet, Friday, June 3, 2011 at the Eldorado Canyon State Park Visitors Center. The meeting is open to all current AMGA members. If you're planning on attending, please RSVP to membership.director@amga.com by Monday, May 30.

Bob Timmer passed away on Tuesday May 3, 2011 after losing a long battle with brain cancer. Bob was a certified Level 1 Rock Guide.

Bob was a an outstanding guide and a full time instructor of mountaineering for the United States Army for nearly 16 years. He had a tremendous impact on a lot of people, from clients, to students, to co-workers, friends, and all. He always maintained the highest possible standards of professionalism and technical competency and trained thousands of soldiers over a distinguished career. He encouraged others to work towards AMGA certification and helped several reach the level to pass exams themselves. Bob climbed all over, from Mt. Logan in the Yukon to Mt. Chogolisa in Pakistan, the Canadian Rockies, Yosemite big walls, and over a dozen trips to Joshua Tree California. Bob also helped to develop and clean up climbing areas and established several hard first ascents in his home of Northern Vermont. He was a local legend in our community and his presence at the cliffs will truly be missed.

Kip Garre and his girlffriend, Allison Kreutzen, were recently killed on Spit Mountain in the Eastern Sierra outside of Bishop, CA. Reports indicate that the pair were caught in an avalanche and took a long fall in the Split Couloir. Kip, was originally from Hancock, New Hampshire. He moved to Squaw Valley, California, and was part of the early '90s freeskiing movement. A supporter of skiing's park scene, he later shifted focus to backcountry skiing and ski mountaineering and began pursuing AMGA certification. He notched descents around the world in places like Pakistan, China, Antarctica, and, of course, the Sierra. Alison, was an accomplished ski mountaineer, climber, ultramarathoner and ER nurse. Originally from California, she had undertaken numerous ski mountaineering expeditions around the world including South America, Chamonix, Alaska and Mongolia. Both will be dearly missed.

Access Update

Access Roundtable Happening October 27 in the Gunks

The AMGA and the Certified Guides Cooperative will be co-hosting a roundtable discussion on access during the Annual Meeting this October in the Gunks. All members are welcome and encouraged to participate. Please mark your calendar today for the evening of October 27th, and come join this important networking opportunity and dialogue on access challenges and solutions. Looking forward to seeing you!

5-Year Strategic Plan on Access Underway

We're at the crux and pulling hard to complete the first draft of the 5-Year Strategic Plan on Access. Strategic Planning is a lot like preparing for a big expedition. It's time consuming, tedious and absolutely critical for a successful trip. The "Plan" will be reviewed at the June 3rd Board Meeting. A huge thanks to those of you who have offered your feedback during this important phase of our organization. Once the Plan is approved by the Board, each of us will undoubtedly play a role in the Plan's successful execution. Please continue to share your ideas by sending an email to access.director@amga.com and keep an eye out for the Plan details this summer. Looking forward to seeing you in Boulder at the June Board Meeting.

Join the Certified Guides Cooperative Today

The past few months have seen some exciting milestones for the Certified Guides Cooperative. The CGC has been busy applying for permits, getting approved for permits (such as North Cascades National Park), signing up new owners during their membership drive, and running trips both domestically and internationally. This month the organization received a $5,000 matching grant from an anonymous donor, which will match CGC share purchases for the month of May (up to $5,000 in total)! This is a huge opportunity for the mission of the CGC. But even with this grant, they can't do it alone - they need your support.

A cooperative such as the CGC, finds its strength in numbers, and they are now at a critical tipping point. Their goal within the American guiding community is to work alongside the AMGA to improve access for U.S.-based and foreign certified guides by providing access, management of permits and insurance. And while the CGC has made great strides with permits and operations, without your support - the Co-op cannot exist. You may not realize it, but your financial support of the CGC today will directly impact the future of guiding in the years to come. And now is the opportunity to have your money doubled with a matching grant.

By joining the CGC this month, you will help ensure that years of hard work will directly benefit the certified guides community. Click here to join today.

Devils Tower Closures

Devils Tower National Monument staff has been monitoring for the presence of nesting prairie falcons on and around the Tower. While individual falcons have been observed, no nesting activity has been documented.

To protect potential nesting sites being used by prairie falcons (Falco mexicanus), the National Park Service (NPS) will temporarily close climbing routes along the west face of Devils Tower beginning May 13, 2011.

In an attempt to better serve our Accredited Programs, Certified Guides and Corporate Partners, we will be offering space in the monthly e-Newsletter to share job opportunities. This benefit is available to any current AMGA Accredited Program, Certified Guide or Corporate Partner. Postings must be submitted to josh@amga.com between the 1st and the 5th of every month in order to make the monthly e-Newsletter. Any postings submitted outside this time-frame will be deleted. Postings must be 200 words or less and will be reviewed and accepted or denied by the AMGA office staff. Please email josh@amga.com with any questions.

The AMGA is excited to announce that we will be working with Exum Mountain Guides this summer to offer you the opportunity to work as a guest guide in Grand Teton National Park!

The Tetons provide some of the most accessible and diverse climbing in the North America. One of its premier climbs is, naturally, the Grand Teton (13,770 ft), a remarkable ascent via many outstanding routes that all providing an exhilarating day in the mountains. While the Grand Teton is the most famous peak in the region, the range also offers dozens of other climbs that are both famous and challenging, all in a beautiful and dramatic landscape.

The AMGA is proud to work with Exum Mountain Guides in this capacity, and Exum is proud to offer AMGA guides this opportunity. To apply to be a guest guide at Exum you must be an AMGA Certified Alpine Guide. Click Here to find out how to apply.

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